Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same

Abstract

A image forming apparatus 100 has a network interface 103 for receiving data transmitted from an external apparatus, and a control unit 102 for interpreting content of data received by the network interface 103. The image forming apparatus 100 further has a printing unit 101 for executing print processing based upon print data if print data has been received by the network interface 103, and a restoration control unit 107 for exercising control so as to place the control unit 102 in an active state or inactive state. The restoration control unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 100 starts supplying a low-speed clock to the control unit 102 in the inactive state in response to receipt of data by the network interface 103, and starts supplying a high-speed clock in response to an interpretation by the control unit 102 that the content of the data is print data.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and to a method of controlling this apparatus.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]An image forming apparatus such as a copier or multi-functional peripheral generally comprises a plurality of subsystems such as a main controller for controlling the overall image forming apparatus, a scanner for reading in an image and a printer for forming an image on paper. It has become commonplace, in recent years for such an image forming apparatus to be connectable to a network. A network-connected image forming apparatus receives print data, which has been transmitted from a plurality of personal computers or servers, via a network, and performs printing in accordance with the print data received.[0005]Further, if the image forming apparatus is not issued an operation request in excess of a fixed period of time, control is exercised to automatically cut off the s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved image forming apparatus and method of controlling same.

[0017]Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and method of controlling same in which the power-saving effect is enhanced by so arranging it that a transition from the power save mode to the power supply mode is performed more appropriately.

[0018]According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a first receiving unit adapted to receive data transmitted from an external apparatus; an interpreting unit adapted to interpret content of data received by the first receiving unit; a printing unit adapted to execute print processing based upon print data if the print data has been received by the first receiving unit; and an operating-status control unit adapted to execute control in such a manner that the interpreting unit is placed in an active state or inactive state, wherein in response to receipt of data by the first receiving unit, the operating-status control unit causes the interpreting unit, which is in the inactive state, to transition to a first operating state, and causes the interpreting unit to transition from the first operating state to a second operating state, in which power consumption is greater, in response to an interpretation by the interpreting unit that content of the data is print data.

Problems solved by technology

A problem, therefore, is that a comparatively large amount of power is consumed.

Power is consumed as a result.

Ultimately, consumption of power in the power save mode is great, just as in the case of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-324071.

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